The Isurumuniya Vihara was built in the 3rd century BC as part of a monastic complex called Issiramana, which received its name from the 500 nobles (issara, 'those of the first rank'), who sought ordination as monks there. It is probably the best situated and most tranquil shrine in Anuradhapura, as it occupies a commanding position on a vast boulder overlooking the Tissa Wewa. The temple, which is carved from the solid rock, has several lotus ponds at its base and houses a large seated Buddha image and a small museum.


The most famous sculpture at Isurumuniya is that known as The Isurumuniya Lovers, which was carved in the 6th century AD in the Indian Gupta style. It was probably brought here from elsewhere as it was carved into a separate slab. Popular folklore identifies the young couple as Saliya, King Dutugemenu's son, and Asokamala, a low-caste maiden, who fell in love and married after meeting in the Royal Pleasure Garden at Anuradhapura. As Asokamala was a commoner, however, the young prince forfeited his claim to the throne. A less romantic and probably more accurate interpretation of the figures is that they represent a Hindu god and his consort.


In many ways the sculpture known as Man and His Horse is more interesting. Carved in the 7th century in the South Indian Pallava style, it features the figure of a male, seated in relaxed pose with his arm resting on his upraised knee, while the head of his horse peers over his right shoulder.

The boulder on which Isurumuniya is situated has a cleft at the base, and an attractive square pond. On the right of the cleft there is a large carving in flat relief of an elephant with raised trunk squirting itself with water from the pond. On the left is a group of elephants in projecting relief, descending to the pond. Two elephant heads come straight out of the rock, one small elephant turns back into the rock, and the forth is standing in profile. Together these very naturalistic sculptures provide excellent front, back and side studies of the elephant. Lotus flowers and leaves carved at the edge of the pond complement the real ones floating in the water.